Key Verse: Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. (Ephesians 6:14)
For a Roman soldier, his breastplate was an essential part of his protective armour. It covered his chest, his back, and his sides to shield his vital organs. Without his chest armour securely in place, a soldier was susceptible to a fatal blow from an enemy’s sword thrust or from a flying arrow. To not wear chest armour was to foolishly put one’s life in grave danger.
Using this imagery, the Apostle Paul tells Christians in Ephesians 6 to put on “righteousness like armour on your chest.” For a Christ-follower, it is righteousness that serves as part of our vital protection as we seek to stand firm in the spiritual battles around us.
To what exactly is Paul referring when he instructs us to suit up with righteousness? Paul is not talking about a list of do’s and dont’s. It’s not about outward religiosity that is rooted in legalism. Rather, he is referring to a life of godliness and obedience to Jesus that flows from the righteousness that we have already received through faith in Him.
In Romans 3, Paul writes, “The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (v.22). When we put our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, we are declared righteous in God’s sight (Romans 5:1). God takes the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ and credits it to us. “He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is the glorious gospel!
For those of us who have truly experienced this reality, righteousness then begins to flow outwardly from our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This is our sanctification. The Spirit of God begins to make us more and more like Jesus. Our character over time becomes more and more conformed to Jesus, as we surrender ourselves to Him.
This unending pursuit of righteous and godly living in every area of our life is what serves as part of our protection against the attacks of the enemy. “Righteousness guards people of integrity” (Proverbs 13:6). When we refuse to compromise in even the smaller matters of obedience and holiness, we leave no room for the enemy to gain a foothold in our lives. The pursuit of righteousness is what helps us stand firm.
John wrote, “The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him” (1 John 2:9-10). As we seek to walk in the light by following the example of Jesus, we push back the darkness in our lives. It serves as part of our protection in the battles we will face, keeping us from stumbling.
What does it look like for you to put on righteousness? In what areas are you struggling to do this? Invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen you today.
Prayer: Jesus, I thank you for the righteousness that I have received from God through faith in you. Help me to now pursue a life of godliness and purity in every way without compromise. Holy Spirit, strengthen me today where I am weak. Enable me to put on righteousness like armour on my chest. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
